Summary

After decades of neglect, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has captured the attention and concern of the public health community and global leaders. In September 2016, a high-level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will discuss how countries can cooperate to preserve global access to effective antimicrobials. This will be only the fourth health issue (and the first One Health issue, integrating human, animal, and environmental health) to bring together heads of state at the UNGA for a rare opportunity to set a global agenda to combat the crisis. We believe that (i) setting targets for reducing drug-resistant infections, (ii) adequate financing for global action, and (iii) defining the global health architecture to address AMR should be elements of a UN plan.